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Bicycle courier

Also called bike courier, cycle courier, bike messenger

Bicycle couriers collect and deliver packages and mail by bicycle.

Will there be jobs?Average prospects28 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transportWhat does it pay?Below averageFrom about €800 (Bulgaria) to €4,300 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transportWhat do I need to study?Basic schooling4 in 10 have basic schooling only.Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transportWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Hand and pedal vehicle drivers · ILO

What you'd do

Hand and pedal vehicle drivers · ILO
  • Loading and unloading goods, or assisting passengers in getting on or off a vehicle
  • Moving vehicle in the desired direction with due regard to other traffic and traffic regulations
  • Inspecting vehicle components to identify wear and damage
  • Maintaining vehicle, making minor repairs and installing replacement parts
  • Collecting fares or charges
Obey traffic rulesEnsure the integrity of mailDifferentiate types of packagesDrive two-wheeled vehiclesAnalyse travel alternatives+ 3 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Constant contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines every day
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Couriers and Messengers"

Will there be jobs?

Average prospects

A typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport in the EU
4.98m5.67m5.76m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
88,000 new jobs 1,502,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport28
All jobs29
Right now
2 of 27 countries report a shortage of hand and pedal vehicle drivers, 2 a surplus.
Hand and pedal vehicle drivers · EURES

What does it pay?

Below average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €800 a month (Bulgaria) to €4,300 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among elementary occupations in the EU, women earn 9% less per hour than men. Elementary occupations · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Basic schooling

Most people start with basic schooling and learn on the job.

Highest qualification of labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport (EU, 2025)
Degree 8%Vocational 36%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 42%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.21 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 5 tasks
Collecting fares or charges0.34
Inspecting vehicle components to identify wear and damage0.23
Moving vehicle in the desired direction with due regard to other traffic and traffic regulations0.18
Loading and unloading goods, or assisting passengers in getting on or off a vehicle0.15
Maintaining vehicle, making minor repairs and installing replacement parts0.14

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for hand and pedal vehicle drivers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).